There are times when I read things and then feel like my brain is about to explode from the stupidity it has just taken in.  Right now I feel like I need some duct tape to hold my head together and keep it from exploding.

The USDA is apparently considering allowing 38 ingredients to be added to their list of acceptable additives to organic foods.  These ingredients were reported to be not even close to organic.

Being the sceptic I am, I went to the source and began looking at the documents from the USDA on the “Petitioned Substances Database” which list substances that companies have asked to be allowed in foods with the USDA organic label.  Since the article I read mentioned hops, I went there to read the petition.  This is when I needed the duct tape.  Please listen to this logic from page 6 of this document.  The company asked the USDA to list hops as an acceptable non-organic ingredient in organic food (beer).  Here’s their reasoning: hops is difficult to grow; is susceptible to insects, fungus, and mildew; and is grown organically mostly in New Zealand making it difficult to guarantee organic hops will be available therefore forcing them to use conventionally grown (ie. sprayed with pesticide) hops.  Therefore, the USDA must list hops as an acceptable non-organic additive so they can continue to produce organic beer.  OK, did you catch that?  They think they are producing organic beer just because they label it that way.  The fact that they are adding something that is not organic (sprayed with pesticide) doesn’t register with them.  DUH, if it’s not organic you can’t just say it is organic! 

Please someone, hand me the duct tape…….